Have you ever seen a friend’s photo and just been floored by how beautiful the moment was? Well, this is how we felt about every single photo shot by the uber-talented photographer, Sam Shorey. Sam’s work is gorgeous. She specializes in film photography and told us that “film has this wonderful memory-like quality, a softness that has so much feeling in it.” What an incredible way of putting it. Here, she shares her top three tips for how to take your own beautiful (but affordable) photos during your honeymoon.

A lot of people don’t realize that you can still buy these at just about any drugstore (for about $15) and have the photos developed there too. They’re a perfect-match for honeymoons for a few reasons:

— Disposable cameras are tough. — On a honeymoon, you’re going to be doing adventurous things that aren’t great for carrying around your quality digital camera or even your smart phone. Sunset cruises and beach days; sand and water are electronics’ worst nightmares! But disposable cameras are basically indestructible. Once on a trip to Big Sur, I left mine on top of my car and drove 25 miles down the road before I realized it was missing. It’d been flung off my roof, but was fully in tact on the roadside (and the pictures still turned out great!)

— If you like the look of film, disposable cameras actually take pretty great pictures! — Just as good as your iPhone or a point-and-shoot digital. They’re going to have all the great color that’d you be emulating with your Instagrams, but with #nofilter.

— Disposables are way lighter than a digital kit and easily fit in your bag or pocket. — Save on overweight baggage fees or having to lug lenses through Yellowstone (I’ll only make that mistake once.) And, if you’re traveling abroad, bringing a few disposables saves you the stress of having your fancy digital camera stolen. All you’d lose is $10 and the memories. And I mean, who’s going to steal a disposable?

2. Natural light makes taking good pictures so easy!
In general, get outside or a room with big windows. Coordinate your most scenic activities during “golden hours,” the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset. Everything looks so magical! The light is gold or blue in color and doesn’t have the harsh shadows of noonday sun that might highlight your under-eye bags from the redeye flight. Use this time for big events – like riding the Ferris Wheel in downtown Seattle – or even the more photogenic day-to-day stuff, like taking the ferry home. No matter what I’m doing, I always try to be out-and-about during these hours when I travel! Even just walking around the neighborhood.

3. Get on the other side of the camera!

If you’re reading this post you’re probably the designated photo-taker on vacations, just like me. Whenever I get home from a trip and show my family the pictures everyone says “well that’s all lovely, but where are all the pictures of you?!” Over the last 5 years, the number one thing I wish I’d done is taken more pictures of me.
I know it’s embarrassing and can feel kind of vain – but ask your partner to take your picture (especially on the good hair days!), and don’t hesitate to ask a trustworthy stranger to take one of you together. Everyone loves young people in love.

Sam, thank you for your amazing tips! We’re feeling inspired right now to run to the corner store and grab a disposable camera to take images of all the small, joyous moments. Practice for all our future travels!

Earlier this month we asked couples to send us photos and stories from their Wanderable honeymoons, and we heard wonderful tales of adventure and romance and saw adorable snapshots of couples snorkeling and skiing, and everything in between. However, one submission really stood out: a beautiful photo spread from a Wanderer named Rachel Ann who used Wanderable to help fund her honeymoon with her new husband Scott to the French Polynesian islands of Moorea and Bora Bora. We will let their awe-inspiring photos speak for themselves (Rachel just happens to be a professional photographer…)

Rachel + Scott’s Honeymoon:

“Well this was pretty much a dream come true for us. For about six years I had a gorgeous poster of a lone beach in French Polynesia, you know, the one with the palm tree reaching out over the water? I’ve always wanted to go, and stay in a hut on the water, and this is exactly what we did! Photos do not do this place justice. It was truly unbelievable, and gorgeous, postcard perfect.” – Rachel

Our first 4 nights were at the Pearl Resort in Moorea. We took a 7 minute flight from Tahiti to Moorea and landed in our first taste of paradise!

When we arrived, they passed out these little guys. Smelled so good!!

Polynesian statues on the resort grounds

Flowers on the grounds

Our first room, we got upgraded to an over water bungalow! Score!

Enjoying some lime and mango sorbet!

Local fruit

ATVing

Belvedere Lookout

We made it!

To celebrate…

Snorkeling with the stingrays

mmm!

On our way back to the airport to go home!

Massage room for two

On our way back to the airport to go home!

Moorea sunset

Arriving in Bora Bora!

Fresh off the plane

Our boat to take us to the Hilton

En route

The Hilton Bora Bora

We arrived to Polynesian music, fresh juice and scented iced towels

VIP dinner at La Villa Mahana. SO GOOD

Snorkeling with the stingrays

Bye Bye Bora Bora…

Flowers on the grounds

Bye Bye Bora Bora…

So huge and beautiful!

We went hermit crab hunting pretty frequently!

Rented our own little boat for the day

We went hermit crab hunting pretty frequently!

Sunset in Bora Bora

Lunch after our ATV tour

Sunset in Bora Bora

A very special thanks to Rachel Ann for sharing this wonderful Wanderable honeymoon with us! You can view more of her photography at her website, rachelann.com.

If you would like to submit photos of your own honeymoon for a future post, please contact us at hello@wanderable.com. We would love to hear from you!

What’s a Honeymoon Registry?

Wanderable is a new and unique honeymoon registry that allows wedding guests to gift meaningful and memorable experiences to a newlywed couple.

Similar to a traditional registry where the couple registers for gifts, couples will create a Wanderable registry website where guests can choose a thoughtful experience to give based on their unique relationship with the couple.